Steam bath apparatus for bathtubs



STEAM BATH APPARATUS FOR BATHTUBS Filed Dec. 8, 1965 INVENTOR. ANGELO VIECELI W Z pa ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,375,534 Patented Apr. 2, 1968 3,375,534 STEAM BATH APPARATUS FOR BATHTUBS Angelo Vieceli, 24429-Shadeland Drive,

Newhall, Calif. 91321 Filed Dec. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 512,434 7 Claims. (Cl. 4162) This invention relates generally to steam bath apparatus and more particularly to a steam bath apparatus adapted for use in a household bathtub.

. Most steam bath units currently available comprise permanently installed equipment including various arrangements of complex plumbing and steam generating apparatus. Accordingly, such units are often expensive to build and operate. As a result, steam bath units are seldom available in other than gymnasiums and similar establishments which generally charge fees for their use.

With the foregoing in mind, it is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a steam bath apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a conventional household bathtub.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a steam bath apparatus of lightweight and simplified construction to the end that it may be quickly and easily arranged in operative position in a bathtub and then removed therefrom after use.

Another object is to provide a steam bath apparatus of compact size enabling convenient storage of the apparatus when not in use.

Briefly, these and many other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a steam bath apparatus including a frame member adapted to be positioned against the end of a bathtub so as to extend upwardly against a wall. The frame is thus adapted to be positioned to provide a back rest for a person sitting Within the bathtub.

A simplified and compact steam generatingunit is adapted to be secured to the back of the frame member. The steam generating unit preferably includes an electrically operated heater element adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical energy.

In order to provide an enclosure for the steam generated by the unit, a flexible cover member is adapted to be secured around the top of the bathtub to include the steam generating unit. The cover preferably includes openings for the neck and hands of the person sitting in the tub and additionally includes convenient means for securing the cover to the tub such that the escape of steam is effectively prevented.

A better understanding of the invention will now be had by referring to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of the steam bath apparatus arranged for use in a bathtub;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the steam generating unit of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 33 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a bathtub 10 having an end thereof mounted adjacent a wall 11. In accordance with the invention, a steam generator unit 12 is shown positioned within the bathtub and adjacent the wall. As shown, the steam generator unit in cludes a generally rectangular frame member 13 made, for example, of plastic having a top end 14 and a bottom end 1 5 secured to the bathtub 10 and wall 11 by means of suction cups 16 and 17, respectively. The frame member 13 includes a fiberglass back support 18 stretched between the top and bottom ends thereof. A foam pad 19 is shown secured between a portion of the frame 13 and the back support member 18. The frame member 13 additionally includes an integral flange 20 within which is embedded an immersion heater 21.

A cylindrical water container 22 is secured to the immersion heater 21 and extends upwardly therefrom along the back of the frame 13. The water container 22 is substantially enclosed by means of a hood 23 which has an opening in the bottom thereof as shown at 24. The hood 23 is secured to the frame member 13 by means of hinges shown at 25 so as to be pivotally connected thereto. A releasable latch 26 is secured to the back of the frame 13 for holding the hood 23 in the operative position as shown.

The immersion heater 21 includes an electrical terminal 27 to which is secured a conductor wire 28 which is embedded within the frame 13 and extends upwardly in electrical connection with a rheostat 29 mounted on the frame 13. The conductor wire 28 terminates in an electrical plug 30 integrally connected to the top portion 14 of the frame 13 as shown.

In order to provide an enclosure for the steam generated by the apparatus, a flexible cover 31 made, for example, of thin plastic is secured to the top of the bathtub 10 and extends upwardly at 31a to enclose the steam generator unit 12 and a person sitting within the tub. The cover 31 is secured to the tub 10 by means which include suction cups positioned at the corners of the cover. Two such cups are shown at 32'and 3-3.

The cover 31 further includes a neck opening 34 and a pair of sleeves for receiving the arms of the user. One such sleeve is shown at 35 and terminates in an elastic band 36 defining a hand opening 37.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the steam generating unit 12 will be seen more'clearly. As shown, the water container 22 includes an outer covering 38 made, for example, of asbestos surrounding an aluminum tube 39. The asbestos covering 38 effectively insulates the water container to prevent excessive heattransfer to the back of the frame 13 to which the water container 22 is secured.

In order to prevent accidental spilling of water from the water container 22, the upper portion of the tube 39 maybe fitted with an insert tube 40 terminating at its bottom end in a bottom plate 41 having a plurality of openings 42 defined therein. A ball 43 is loosely received within the tube 40 and normally rests on the plate 44 having an opening 45 providing a seat for the ball 43, should the ball be moved upwardly into engagementwith the cap 44. The circular edge of the cap 44 defining the opening 45 preferably includes at lea-st one pressure relief groove 46 which communicates between the interior and exterior of the water container 22 when the ball 43 is seated in the opening 45. The operation of the abovedescribed valve means for preventing water spillage will become clear in the subsequent description of the operation of the steam bath apparatus.

As described with reference to FIGURE 1, the means for supplying electrical power to the immersion heater 21 includes a temperature control means which preferably comprises a rheostat 29 connected to the conductor wire 28. The rheostat 29 includes a control knob 4.7 by which the rheostat may be adjusted to vary the current supplied to the heater 21 when the plug 30 is connected to a source of electrical energy. 1

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the manner in which the cover 31 is secured to the top of the bathtub 10 so as to provide a steam enclosure will be seen more clearly. In addition to the suction cups 32 and 33 securing the corners of. the cover to the tub, the edge of the cover preferably includes a continuous attaching strip 48 adapted to be secured to the top of the tub in a manner to be described with subsequent reference to FIG- URE 4,

As shown in FIGURE 3, the neck opening 34 is adapted to receive the frame 13 and back support member 18 in order to prevent escape of steam from within the area enclosed by the cover 31..

The cover 31 preferably includes a plastic zipper 49 for providing a convenient means by which the user may open the cover 31 to enter the tub and then close the cover to provide an enclosure for the steam. The flexible sleeves 35 are of such length that the user may freely move his arms while sitting under the cover, enabling the user to reach back to grasp the control knob 47 of the rheostat to control the heater.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, the means for securing the cover 31 to the top of the tub 10 will be seen more clearly. The suction cup 33 is integrally connected to the cover 31, thereby securing a corner of the cover to the tub by simply pressing the suction cup downwardly into firm engagement with the top of the tub lll as shown. Each of the remaining corners of the cover is likewise secured to the respective corners of the tub in the manner shown.

In order to elfectively seal the edges of the cover to the top of the tub, the attaching strip 48 preferably includes magnetic particles 50 enclosed within the strip for providing a magnetic attraction between the strip 48 and the metal tub frame 51 upon which the porcelain is deposited.

In operation, and with reference first to FIGURE 1, the hood 23 is pivoted about the hinges 25 away from the frame 13 and water is poured into the container 22. The hood is then pivoted to the position shown and is held in placed by the latch 26. The frame 13 is then positioned within the bathtub 10 and against the wall 11 by pressing the suction cups 16 and 17 into engagement with the tub and wall, respectively, as shown. It is apparent that the position of the frame 13 may be vertically adjusted so as to provide a support for the head of the user.

The edges of the cover 31 are then secured to the tub 10 by pressing the suction cups 232 and 33 into engagement with the respective corners of the top edge of the tub, thereby positioning the continuous attaching strip 48 around the top of the tub as shown in FIGURE 3. As described above, the magnetic particles enclosed within the strip 48 effectively secure the strip to the tub so as to prevent escape of steam from within the enclosed area thus formed within the tub.

Upon coupling the plug 30 to a source of electrical energy, which preferably comprises 110 volts normally available in a household, the user enters the cover 31, closing it by means of the zipper 49. By extending his arms into the sleeves 35, the user may then easily reach back to operate the control knob 47 to thus adjust the rheostat 29 controlling the output of the immersion heat- Referring now to FIGURE 2, as the water within the container 22 is heated, steam will be created and will move as shown by the arrows upwardly through the opening 42, past the ball 43, and out through the opening 45 into the area enclosed by the hood 23. The steam is then directed downwardly within the hood 23, out through the opening 24, and into the area enclosed by the cover 31.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the width or lateral extent of the frame 13 is less than the width of the bathtub 10, thereby allowing the steam to pass around the edges of the frame in the manner shown in FIGURE 1.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the foam pad 19 effectively prevents escape of steam between the frame 13 and the back support member 18.

If desired, a towel or similar. means may be used to prevent escape of steam through the neck opening 34.

If for any reason the frame 13 is inadvertently dislodged from its upright position, the user is protected from contact with the hot'water within the container 22.

Thus, any flow of water towards the opening 45 will move the 'ball 43 into engagement with the seat formed by the opening 45, thereby preventing leakage or spillage of water from within the container 22, should it be upset should the ballinadvertently seat within the opening 45 during operation of the apparatus.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that this invention provides a simple and compact steam bath apparatus particularly well adapted for home use. The apparatus is designed for safe and efiicient operation and is easily removable for storage after use.

Various changes falling within the scope and. spirit of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art. The steam bath apparatus is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodiment set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. A steam bath apparatus for a bathtub, comprising: frame means adapted to be positioned in said tub to project upwardly and provide a back rest for a person sitting in said tub; electrically powered steam generating means secured to the back of said frame means; hood means secured to said frame means for conducting steam downwardly from said steam generating means; and cover means secured over said tub and said hood means for providing an enclosure for said steam, said cover means including openings through which a persons hands and neck extend when sitting in said tub.

2. The subject matter of claim Lilli which said steam generating means includes an immersion heaterembedded in a portion of said frame means and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy; and a tubular container mounted on said heater and extending upwardly along said frame means, said container including an opening in its upper end through which steam may escape as water within said container is heated by said heater.

3. The subject matter of claim 2, including valve means positioned within said container adapted to close said opening in response to a flow of water towards said opening to thereby prevent accidental spillage of water from said container.

4. The subject matter of claim 1, in which said hood means includes edge portions including magnetic means i for securing said edge portions to said tub.

6. A steam bath apparatus for a bathtub, comprising in combination: a rectangular frameadapted to be secured at its lower end to said bathtub and at its upper end to a wall, said frame including a backsupport member stretched between the top and bottom of said frame thereby providing a back rest fora person sitting in said tub; a foam pad positioned between a portion of said frame and said back support member; a flange" integrally connected to the rear of said frame; an immersion heater enclosed within said flange; a tubular container secured to said heater and the rear of said frame, said container being open at its top end for conducting steam from said container when water in said container is heated by said heater; a hood pivotally connected to said frame for substantially enclosing said tubular container, said hood being open at its bottom end for conducting steam from said hood; a conductor wire embedded in said frame and connected at its lower end to said heater; a power plug secured to the top of said frame and connected to said conductor wire; and a fieXible cover secured to the top of said bathtub for enclosing said hood and the top of said tub, said cover including openings for the neck and hands of a person sitting within said tub, said cover thereby providing an enclosure for containing said steam.

7. A steam bath apparatus for a bathtub, comprising: frame means adapted to be positioned in said tub to project upwardly and provide a back-rest for a person sitting in said tub; electrically powered steam generating means secured to the back of said frame means, said steam generating means including an immersion heater embedded in a portion of said frame means and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy; and a tubular container mounted on said heater and extending upwardly along said frame means, said container including an opening in its upper end through which steam may escape; hood means secured to said frame means for conducting steam downwardly from said steam generating means;

and 'cover means secured over said tub and said hood means for providing an enclosure for said steam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 945,241 1/1910 Mayer 4-162 1,157,842 10/1915 Brandelle 4-162 1,652,437 12/1927 Handelan 4-162 1,948,204 2/1934 Dillard 4-162 2,095,749 10/1937 Kellner 4-162 2,541,029 2/1951 Burton 4-162 3,119,122 1/1964 Weisbeck 4-162 FOREIGN PATENTS 846,946 9/ 1939 France.

443,294 3/ 1925 Germany.

166,726 11/1950 Austria.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

20 H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STEAM BATH APPARATUS FOR A BATHTUB, COMPRISING: FRAME MEANS ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN SAID TUB TO PROJECT UPWARDLY AND PROVIDE A BACK REST FOR A PERSON SITTING IN SAID TUB; ELECTRICALLY POWERED STEAM GENERATING MEANS SECURED TO THE BACK OF SAID FRAME MEANS; HOOD MEANS SECURED TO SAID FRAME MEANS FOR CONDUCTING STEAM DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID STEAM GENERATING MEANS; AND COVER 